Ariel - ELA 8

Teacher: Ariel Sacks
Subject: 8th Grade ELA
Email Address: asacks@renaissancecharter.org

ELA 8 Homework:

Thanksgiving break homework:

1. ALL 8th grade students must complete page 1 of their "conflict" stories.

2. Pick one of the discussion questions from YOUR GROUP to answer in a paragraph. Use loose-leaf paper or type.

801 Group A questions--
Do you think Junior sees the reservation as his home? Why?
OR
Why do you think Junior doubts himself as an Indian at times?

801 Group B questions--
What is the problem that so many Indians are trying to escape from when they drink? Explain.

Do you think Junior is a traitor? Explain.

802 Group A questions--
Is Junior a part-time Indian? Explain.
OR
What is the "Indian spirit"? Which character in the story has the most?
OR
Do you think Rowdy started to warm up to Junior towards the end of the book? Why?

802 Group B questions--

What stereotypes are in the book and where do they come from?

Describe the relationships between whites & Indians in the book. (Use history to help explain if you want too.)









Below are audio files of the author, Sherman Alexie, reading the novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. Students are encouraged to access the audio files and read along. Audio is also available through the free "Audible" app. Students who are able to download the app to their personal device should email Ariel at arieltrcs@gmail.com for login information.

[Note: the tracks are in order from left to right.]
Disc 1: (pgs. 1-47)



Disc 2: (pgs. 48-98)




Disc 3: (pgs. 99-151)











Disc 4 (pgs. 152-196)











Disc 5: (pgs. 197-230)

Homework:

All students are reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Each night they must read according to the schedule, and write 4 post-it notes in response. One of those notes must be a "conflict" note.

The reading schedule and guidelines for sticky notes are pasted below:

Schedule November 2014

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
		11/5 pgs. 1-17	11/6 pgs. 18-43	11/7 pgs. 44-66
11/10 pgs. 67-81	11/11 pgs. 82-98 Veteran’s Day No School	11/12 pgs. 99-113	11/13 pgs. 114-129	11/14 pgs. 130--149
11/17 pgs. 150--167	11/18 pgs. 168-182	11/19 pgs. 183-196	11/20 pgs. 197--214	11/21 pgs. 215-230
11/24 Books Due! Discussions Begin	11/25 Discussions	11/26 Discussions	11/27 Thanksgiving! No School	11/28 No School

Post-It Notes Guide:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Types & Codes	Guidelines
Each night, you must write 4+ notes. 1 must be a Conflict note! The rest are your choice. They can be Open Response, OR you may comment on specific literary elements using codes and guidelines below.
Main Characters (Char)	Keep track of the characters in the story and what you learn about them... o What do you know about this character? o Character traits? o Relationships with other characters? o What seems to motivate him/her?
Conflicts (Con)	Identify a conflict. For each conflict, answer the following: 1. What does the character want? 2. Who or what is getting in the way of that? 3. Which type of conflict is this? o Character vs. character o Character vs. self o Character vs. society o Character vs. nature
Themes (Theme)	1. Make a list of themes in this chapter. Circle the theme that seems most important here. 2. When you identify a theme the author seems to be developing, make a note about it. Pick 1 question. o Why do you think it is a theme? o Where else has this idea shown up?? o What do you think the author might be trying to say about this theme?
Author’s Craft (Auth.)	o What do you notice about the way the author writes? Literary Devices, such as symbolism, or foreshadowing? o How is this story making you feel? o What is the author doing to make you feel that way?

Homework 9/9/14:
1. Bring all school supplies, but especially your ELA composition notebook. (No spiral or soft cover notebooks.)

2. Complete the Personal Interest Survey online, due Thursday.